The Castelbello Castle and Juval Castle dominate the landscape in the lower part of Venosta Valley. The one is a cultural venue, gallery and landmark, the other the summer residence of the great mountaineer Reinhold Messner and also accommodates part of his Messner Mountain Museum. The arid and steppe-like sunny side of Venosta Valley between Castelbello/Kastelbell and Ciardes/Tschars is the ideal terroir for delicate wines and fruits that are also used for single-varietal fruit-brandies and most delicious asparagus in spring. The charming irrigation channel pathslead along the sunny mountain slopes, offering spectacular panoramic views until the Dolomites. Hiking tours lead up to steep isolated farmsteads, crystal clear mountain lakes and Alpine pastures with excellent mountain huts.

The vicinity of the spa town of Merano/Meran is strongly perceivable in the area of Laces. In the apple orchards surrounding the villages of Goldrano/Goldrain, Morter, Tarres/Tarsch and Laces profit from an unusually gentle climate. From the opposite moutnain village St. Martin im Kofel upon Laces/Latsch one enjoys a sunny panoramic view over the mountainscape. Here the natural and cultivated landscapes merge harmoniously. Active holidaymakers are spoilt for choice in the area around Laces: mountain bike and hiking trails, mountaineering paths together with plenty of cultural and hedonistic pursuits as well. The Val Martello is famous for its delicious strawberries and its rugged natural beauty. The high mountain air descending from the 12,365 foot high Cevedale is obviously beneficial for the valley and its people.

White marble from Lasa, apricots and apples from the Silandro area are well-known and much sought-after. Here the steppe-like landscape of the Sonnenberg has strongly influenced the character of the people here. Discover the charm of the area on saunter around the main village of the valley, Silandro, and Lasa. One boasts South Tyrol’s highest church tower, the other white marble pavements. The Stelvio National Park to the south beckons with challenging mountain and climbing tours amid rugged natural landscapes, while relaxing walks beside the irrigation channels flowing across the slopes of the sun-drenched Sonnenberg on the valley’s northern side are a delight for nature lovers.

Prato allo Stelvio is the ideal point of departure for some of the most spectacular and challenging hikes, mountain climbs or ski tours in the entire Alps. This lively mountain village is situated at the foot of the Stelvio National Park. It stretches from Spondiga/Spondinig at 900 meters up to Montechiaro Masi/Lichtenberger Höfe at an altitude of 1,500 meters.

The picturesque villages of Agumes/Agums and Montechiaro/Lichtenberg extend along the slopes of the Stelvio National Park, up to Montechiaro Alpine pasture while the imposing ruins of the old fort of Lichtenberg Castle dominate the scene up on the hill above the town.

At 12,812ft/3,905m above sea level the Ortles/Ortler is South Tyrol’s loftiest mountain. Natural and cultivated landscapes blend here to form a harmonious whole. Solda/Sulden at 6,235 ft/1,900 m is a favourite for energetic, active pursuits while Trafoi at 5,250 ft/1,600 m is quieter and more attuned to families. The village of Stelvio/Stilfs offers authentic cultural experiences in its historic centre, providing insight in the rural way of life as it has in the past. Prato/Prad in the lower part of the valley prides itself on being self-sufficient in energy and is the gateway to the Stelvio National Park. The area offers a wealth of outdoor activities and boasts an excellent cycle path network and numerous mountain biking trails. The road across the Stelvio Pass is Italy’s highest at 9,045 ft/2,752 m.

The medieval town walls of Glorenza/Glurns, the smallest place in South Tyrol to bear the title of town, seven towers at Malles/Mals, the Churburg castle guarding the valley at Sluderno/Schluderns, and the Marienberg monastery gleaming white above Burgusio/Burgeis are just a few of the cultural gems which beckon here. The small village Tubre at the border to the Rhaeto-Romance region of Switzerland is a cultural milestone, characterized by the Romanesque cultural heritage. Meadows, mountain farms and pretty hospitable villages testify to the area’s stubborn pride. The Rhaeto-romanic Grisons and the “Oberes Gericht” (Landeck area) in North Tyrol are close by, the shared past is evident everywhere.

The area offers plenty for nature lovers who prefer relaxing pursuits, for example shady mountainside trails beside old irrigation channels with spectacular views across to the glacier-clad summits in the Ortles massif. In winter the valleys of Mazia/Matsch, Slingia/Schlinig, Planol/Planeil and Tubre/Taufers in the Monastero/Müster Valley attract snowshoeing, Alpine ski touring and winter hiking enthusiasts. The Val Venosta/Vinschgau is the driest and sunniest valley in the entire Alpine region. Most popular among families is the sun-drenched ski resort of Watles.

The villages of Resia/Reschen, Curon/Graun and San Valentino/St. Valentin are located along the old Roman imperial road, the Via Claudia Augusta, on the border between Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The unique location between different cultures has characterized the people and their country. The centre of the region is the drowned Romanesque tower that juts from lake Resia. The big spectacular lake attires enthusiasts of uncommon sports like kite surfers and snowkite surfers sand all those who like to spend their holidays by the water. The side valleys Vallelunga/Langtaufers and Roja/Rojen have hardly been exploited for touristic purposes and remain quiet resorts for holidaymakers in search of peace and unspoilt nature. In winter snow is guaranteed at elevations beyond 4,600ft/1,400m. 3 ski resorts, 2 countries, 1 ski pass, 117 km of runs, 25 cable cars and lifts, all incorporated into the “Skiparadies Reschenpass”.

Stelvio National Park in Venosta Valley

The Nature Reserve in Venosta Valley

Stelvio National Park is one of the largest nature reserves in Europe. 40% of the park lies in South Tyrol. The entire Ortler-Cevedale mountain range, featuring the highest peaks in the country, is located within the park.

The largest part of the park within South Tyrol is situated in Venosta Valley. Every Alpine climate zone can be found between the bottom of the valley at an altitude of 650 m – across extensive mountain forests, meadows and pastures above the tree lines – and the high Alpine glacial areas at an altitude of approx. 4000 m a.s.l.

The head office of the Stelvio National Park administration is located in Glorenza/Glurns. There are also four more national park houses in Venosta Valley, which focus on specific aspects of this sensitive local ecosystem: naturatrafoi, aquaprad, culturamartell, and avimundus in Silandro/Schlanders.

naturatrafoi is one of the five visitors' centers of the Stelvio National Park. It displays a permanent exhibition on the Conditions of Life in a Border Region . Moreover it displays an exhibit on the geological formation and the flora and fauna ...

It focuses on farming culture and cultural landscapes. The links between mankind and nature over the past centuries are presented on four levels. Photos, objects and stories of contemporary witnesses display narrative history of the daily life in ...

The ornitological center avimundus in Silandro/Schlanders is one of five visitors centers of the Stelvio National Park. It offers information on the avifauna in the Alps. Chosen species are presented according to habitats. Visitor will receive ...

The lahnersäge visitors center dedicates its exhibition rooms primarily to exploring the relationship between man and animal. The permanent exhibition impressively and vividly reviews the topic of the Forest, in all of its protective and useful ...

aquaprad is one of the five visitors centers of the Stelvio National Park. It focuses on the limnological aspects of the Alps. Visitors get the opportunity to dive into the flora and fauna of the mountain water resources.

We use cookies to ensure you receive the best user experience on our website. By continuing to browse our website, you consent to the use of cookies. Click here to find out more on how you may change your settings. accept